Mark Gonzales' White Sox mailbag

The Tribune's White Sox beat writer answers readers' questions about the chances of the Sox upgrading their roster and what to do about Adam Dunn

April 22, 2013

The Sox this year are not very dynamic, and uninteresting. Plus, all the teams in the Central seemed to have improved. We have not. What are the chances that the Sox will make roster moves to try to make the team more compelling, and competitive, in the Central? -- Maureen, Chicago

A 7-11 start and the loss of Dayan Viciedo, Gordon Beckham and John Danks for at least another month will challenge the players to show they’re worthy of post-season consideration when trade talks start to heat up. There were many scouts in Toronto last week, but they were there for regular pro coverage and nothing specific, I’m told. But there was plenty for them to sample in those four games.

Any spark will have to come from within the organization in the next month while Viciedo and Beckham heal and Danks builds arm strength. I hate to use the phrase "it’s early’’ because the games you lose early are the games you must win in August or September or the ones that cost you the division.

If the Sox find a way to remain in contention, they’ll add players. They did it last year with Kevin Youkilis, Brett Myers and Francisco Liriano. If they’re not in contention, there’s enough high-profile inventory to move and clear some salary space and add young talent.

When are the Sox going to wake up and realize that Dunn is not the answer? He is an embarrassment to the Sox and baseball. He should be ashamed to accept his pay. He just cannot hit anymore. Last year he hit what, .205? Is that a major league hitter, much less a No. 3 or No. 4. hitter? Send him to Charlotte for a wakeup. I’m a very very frustrated sox fan. Been a Sox fan since 1951. -- Ted Cee, Las Vegas, Nevada

When teams put on the defensive shift against Dunn, why doesn't he ever try to take advantage of it? When the third baseman is playing nearly to second base, a slap/check-swing/bunt down the third baseline could yield an easy single or even a double. Worst-case scenario would be that teams would have to adjust their defense. Instead, we see repeated ground outs to the "rover.” Dunn's refusal to make any hitting adjustments despite continuing failure makes me wonder if he's arrogant or just clueless. -- Kerry Larson, Canon City, Colo.

Adam Dunn appears to be a really smart, likable guy. He must know how much he's hurting this team. If he truly is team oriented as he says, why doesn't he just quit baseball? Obviously, the answer is $15 million a year. But, he already has more money he can ever spend. He should do the right thing by his teammates and retire. -- Bob Sagen Fort Mohave, Ariz.

Robin Ventura has to be nuts at this point to stick Dunn in the middle of the lineup with him batting .089. At this point he should either go to the bench or bat eighth or ninth. Maybe he should be sent down to the minors for a while? He is costing us victories, and we cannot be patient with him anymore. -- Aaron, Chicago

Dunn looks heavier than last year, out of shape too. Why not send him to the minors to get his stroke back? If someone claims his salary, White Sox win. -- Larry, Highland Park

I’m pretty sure Dunn, who has been in the majors since 2001, would have to give his permission to go to the minors. And it isn’t happening.

As for the shifts and hitting the other way, here’s what I saw: Against Toronto, he was getting pitched inside and hitting into the shift or rolling over on a few outside pitches instead of driving the ball. Adam seems pretty convinced he’s going to stick with looking solely at location instead of hitting it where’s it’s pitched.

The latter philosophy seemed to work well when he drilled a Josh Roenicke fastball down the middle for a home run Sunday, but Glen Perkins got him on a 95 mph fastball on the outside corner to end the game.

Dunn isn’t going to quit during the duration of this contract. We went down this road two years ago, and he remains angry over the story that suggested he was going to retire soon because of his struggles during the 2011 season.

Dropping him in the order in 2011 gained only marginal success, as he batted .209 in the seventh spot in 14 games.

So what’s the solution?

I’m not a hitting coach, but I’d go back to what worked in 2012. He had a pretty good set of eyes watching him in Jeff Manto, and listening to Harold Baines and his ‘’hit it where it’s pitched’’ approach could keep defenses more honest.

If Dunn is 13 for his next 35, his batting average climbs from .108 to .200. Not great, but closer to his .204 mark in 2012 and a start in the right direction. Tyler Flowers’ batting average climbed from .162 to .229 in four games.